Alabama football fans tuned into Day 3 of the NFL draft to find out where quarterback AJ McCarron would be picked, and watched how far he slid.

McCarron finally was selected in the fifth round Saturday when the Cincinnati Bengals picked the Heisman Trophy runner-up with the 164th overall pick.

He was rated by the NFL as having the potential to become a starter, and most analysts projected him as a second-round pick.

McCarron will be behind a young Andy Dalton at Cincinnati, Dalton is in a contract year, so there's an opportunity to win a starting job down the line.

"Andy Dalton has played at a very high level but is 0-3 in the playoffs," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "The question in Cincy is if Dalton is worth a huge contract number when his rookie contract is due. McCarron has starter capabilities and traits in the NFL."

Four other Alabama players were drafted Saturday, and eight were selected during the three-day event in New York. That's one off of Alabama's record of nine from last year. LSU led the way with nine players drafted, followed by Alabama and Notre Dame with eight.

His stock started to drop in the offseason when he skipped the Senior Bowl to rest a sore arm. He didn't even make an appearance to meet with the scouts.

"I've always been doubted in some way," McCarron said in a conference call. "But I am putting myself to the side right now. I want to know my teammates. I respect Andy. I watched him a ton. I think he's one of the best in the league. Excited to learn under those guys."

Analysts said on the draft broadcast that McCarron upset many general managers with his pre-draft interviews, and then saying he was a first-round caliber player after the interviews.

There also were questions about McCarron's leadership and if teammates would follow him.

"(It's) not about when you get picked," McCarron said. "It's all about where you go and what you make the most of it when you get there."

On the field, McCarron also had to compete against the mobile quarterbacks who have been more sought after. McCarron, a pocket passer, had to overcome his game manager tag since he came out of Alabama with several talented athletes around him.

McCarron, however, is a polished passer who knows how to, posting a 36-4 career record as a three-year starter with two national titles.

"A lot of people call me cocky," Jackson said during the team's draft press conference. "I have a lot of confidence, too. I kind of like that in a guy. Whatever his stigma that has been put on him, hopefully he can play good football for us."

McCarron didn't buy into his draft-day criticism for the reason for his fall down the draft.

"I think it's a little crazy," McCarron said. "I was voted captain three years in a row by my teammates. I felt like I was respected at all times. People listened to me. Myself and C.J. Mosely always made the team decisions. But somebody can tap on bad information, and it hurts you sometimes. I don't believe those people."

Norwood was the first player selected Saturday in the fourth round when last year's Super Bowl champion Seahawks picked him with the 123rd overall pick.

He was rated by NFL analysts as someone with backup and special teams potential. The 6-foot-2, 198-pounder was expected to be drafted in the third or fourth round.

Norwood is considered a possession receiver, but his stock rose after the season with a strong showing at the Combine with the fourth-best cone drill to show his agility. He ended up the 20th receiver taken in the draft.

The Seahawks loaded up on receivers in the draft, picking Colorado receiver Paul Richardson with their first pick of the draft in the second round, the 45th overall selection. Richardson is a speedy deep threat.

Norwood caught 38 passes for 568 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and had 29 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns in 2012 for the Tide's national championship team.

"This is a solid pick," Mayock said. "When you talk to the people at Alabama, they banged the table for this kid. I think he'll play some special teams (in Seattle)."

Stinson was selected in the fifth round when the Cardinals picked him with the 160th overall pick.

Scouts like Stinson, a 6-3, 287-pounder, because of his long arms. He had been hampered by a groin injury since the end of the season and couldn't work out at full strength for scouts.

Arizona was looking for someone who could step in and understand its 3-4 defense like played at Alabama.

"I'm liking what I'm seeing from this Arizona draft," Mayock said. "And now they got a good, solid five-technique in Stinson in the fifth round."

Sunseri being drafted in the fifth round with the 167th pick was a surprise. He's coming off an ACL injury from midseason, but returned to work out for scouts in March.

Pagan, a defensive lineman, was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round with the 178th pick. He is coming off shoulder surgery that didn't allow him to work out for scouts at the Combine or pro day.

"Very thankful for my opportunity to play at the next level," Pagan wrote on his Twitter.

The Crimson Tide extended its streak of defensive linemen drafted to five years with Stinson and Pagan selected.

Four of the five Alabama juniors who left school early were drafted. The only one not selected was linebacker Adrian Hubbard.

Other draft eligible seniors not drafted include offensive lineman Anthony Steen and cornerback Deion Belue. They and Hubbard hope to soon sign as free agents.

Punter Cody Mandell announced on Twitter that he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys.